The 12 Top Rated Canon Cameras Right Now (Definitive List for 2018)

What is the best Canon camera for amateurs in 2018? And what Canon DSLRs are best for advanced photographers? What about mirrorless cameras?

Refer to our list of the 12 top rated Canon cameras for 2018 to find out!

It’s no secret for everyone that Canon is the world’s leader in the market of photo and video equipment.

But it is important to take into account that the company took relatively little time in releasing point-and-shoot cameras, so it does not have such advantages over its competitors, as in the production of SLR cameras.

Being a pocket size with a weight of less than 200 grams, it definitely will not weigh you down.

Despite its small size and weight, the camera has everything you need for everyday shooting:

an 18x zoom with stabilization, and,

a focal length range of 25-450mm is suitable for both landscape and subject photography.

I am pleased to mention the great functioning of the autofocus, which quickly fires in the instantaneous shooting mode at any focal length.

The ZoomPlus function enhances the zoom capability by twice as much, without serious loss in image quality. Also, Canon PowerShot SX610 HS has an optical image stabilizer, which promises less blurry images made in low-light conditions.

This is important for a lens with a large zoom level.

This camera both fully auto and program mode of operation. In addition to automatic and program modes, the camera menu has a hybrid auto mode and a creative auto mode.

In the hybrid mode, photography produces small video clips, which are then automatically pasted into one large video clip. And at the end of the day, in addition to photos, you can see an interesting video digest of your adventures.

In the creative auto mode, after pressing the shutter, the camera automatically selects and applies special creative filters to the finished image.

Both of these modes will appeal to creative photographers, who like creating extraordinary photos and videos.

The shots that you took can later be viewed on a smartphone or a tablet, which then can be downloaded online or stored in the internal memory of the device using Wi-Fi and NFC.

And if you install the Canon Camera Connect application on your gadget, you can also remotely control the camera.

Below I am attaching a video review from YouTube.

(Even though at the end the owner of the video decided to shock his viewers by preaching to go vegan, the video review is still pretty good and I hope you will like it nonetheless.)

Final Thoughts on Canon SX610 Compact Camera

Canon PowerShot SX610 HS has a lot of great features to share despite it beingaround $200. I will say more – this Canon camera is a kind of Swiss knife in the world of cameras for a price not more expensive than a cheap smartphone.

This camera has been top rated since 2014. This is the choice of those who look for a compact digital camera, who appreciate and ready to pay for its quality.

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II is a compact camera with a high-quality lens and a large 18.7 x 14.0 mm matrix. Thanks to a balanced set of features, this compact is perfectly capable of replacing a SLR camera.

The main strength of Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II is high-quality optics. A light lens (the aperture opens before F2) at close distances will allow shooting without a flash even when there is a lack of light.

Beginners will like a large set of automatic modes, successfully implemented creative filters, convenient touch controls.

More experienced photographers will appreciate the advanced ergonomics of the camera, the possibility of resetting the controls, the HDR mode works perfectly.

The will also love the built-in neutral filter, the ability to shoot in RAW format, and the compatibility with system accessories (flash, electronic viewfinder, filter holders).

It allows you to quickly and simply connect the camera with a computer or smartphone for sharing pictures, uploading files to the cloud and printing them wirelessly. You can also remotely control the camera using mobile devices and even use the smartphone as a GPS-logger.

Remote control is especially appreciated by selfie lovers.

PowerShot G1 X Mark II could be called an ideal compact digital camera, but there is no viewfinder. Photography enthusiasts can purchase it separately, however, keep in mind that the purchase of a viewfinder will increase the cost of the camera by one and a half.

Below I am attaching a video-review made by Eddie Moon:

Final Thoughts on Canon G1X II – A Great Compact Camera for 2018

I think this model will be great for amateur photographers who are not ready to purchase a bulky SLR camera and optics to it. This is an excellent option for shooting on a trip or even for everyday shooting for both beginners and experienced amateur photographers.

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (Canon EOS 100D outside of the US) is a universal creative tool, attractive due to its compactness and low weight of 407 g.

The camera has good technical data: it has high ISO values, it provides high-quality automation work and a wide range of convenient auto-modes.

The burst rate of fire is not very high, but it is enough for amateur scenes – 4 frames per second. Also, this is only relevant when shooting in JPG. If you shoot in RAW + JPG format, the speed of burst shooting falls after several frames.

And, of course, the main advantage of the camera is the advanced technology of autofocus in Live View mode and in video shooting.

The quality of the image corresponds to the level of the amateur DSLR.

In the kit with the camera goes a standard kit zoom lens – EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM lens with quiet autofocus, which is considered the best for video recording. When recording scenes, you can focus by touching the screen.

The drawbacks of the model include a short series for serial shooting in RAW format and the absence of a tilting screen.

Due to its small size and unique design, the camera will especially appeal to the ladies. It can become both a convenient friend for an amateur and an excellent starting base for a future professional.

This versatility is a great advantage of amateur DSLRs.

You can shoot in auto mode, using a kit lens, slightly adjust the pictures directly in the camera and immediately send them for printing, bypassing the computer.

Or you can shoot in manual mode, controlling all settings, connect high-speed quality optics and external flash, use RAW format and conduct deep post-processing on the computer.

Whatever you decide to do, the choice is yours.

A beginner in photography will find in Canon EOS Rebel LS1 a great tool for creating his/her first photo frames in many ways thanks to automation and a great system of built-in hints.

For compact dimensions you will have to pay with an inconvenient grip, cut off by the button functionality and capacity of the battery, but these drawbacks can be accepted. Otherwise, the Canon EOS SL1 (100D) has a responsive touch screen, intuitive menu and an affordable cost.

“The Hundredth” combines the advantages of a DSLR and a compact digital camera.

Even in a camera bag, this Rebel SL1 will not look strange – it is light and, at the same time, it is able to give an excellent picture, even in difficult conditions.

It can definitely be recommended to an amateur who is ready to purchase a second camera in support of the main one. And it also has a full right to exist as a main camera.

Due to its size and weight, it can be purchased by those who previously refused large and heavy DSLRs.

As was mentioned earlier, the weight of Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (100D) together with the battery is only 407 grams. If you replace the kit lens with a compact fix, this SLR camera will take up a minimum of space and become an ideal companion in distant travel.

This camera’s 18-megapixel sensor allows you to shoot photos from ISO from 100 to 12800 (and up to 25600), as well as Full HD video at 30 fps. The improved system of hybrid autofocus additions in Live View was designed primarily for shooting video.

Canon EOS Rebel T5i has a touch screen which is similar to smartphone screens: it reacts not to pressure, but to simple touch. Smarphone users will easily get used to the ability to browse through photos, and to use the multi-touch function to zoom in. Using the screen, you can control all the functions and shooting parameters.

In Live View and Video mode – you simply focus by touching the screen and then press the shutter button.

The 7.7 cm (3 in.) fully articulated touch screen provides convenient settings, as well as shooting and viewing at different angles. A new surface coating, borrowed from the mid-range Canon EOS models, increases the strength and durability of the screen.

For very amateur photographers, it’s better to choose a compact as a less burdensome option. Professional photographers know better what exactly will suit them. And amateurs with some experience can use the camera as a second camera in support of the main one.

In the capable hands of Canon EOS Rebel T5i (700D) provides the highest quality of images.

Now, as usual, I am attaching yet another great video-review done by Larry Becker:

Final Thoughts

This camera is best suitable for those who kept taking images with point-and-shoot cameras and wants to grow as a photographer.

If photography became a serious hobby, and the possibilities of digital compact cameras (point-and-shoot cameras) ceased to satisfy, then Canon EOS Rebel T5i (700D) is perfect – you can experiment with lenses and deal with typical settings of DSLRs.

In other words, it is a good option for an amateur who is looking for his first DSLR camera.

This is a classic model of the 1000th series: extremely simple and friendly to the user.

It is designed for an amateur, for whom it is either the first camera in general, or the first camera with interchangeable optics.

The set of controls in Rebel T5 is very close to the usual amateur Canon SLR cameras, minus the most expected, perhaps, part – the touch screen. They decided to sacrifice the touch screen and a tilting LCD in favor of maximum “easing” the model due to its entry-level status.

The camera control interface does not cause any issues, you quickly get used to it.

Most functions and control responses are quite intuitive, especially for those who have dealt with Canon’s DSLR cameras before.

The AOS-C matrix of the Rebel T5 (EOS 1200D) has grown from 12 to 18 megapixels compared to the previous model – Rebel T5i (EOS 700D) – with a high enough for the amateur camera image quality.

The sensor has an ISO 100-6400 range (expandable up to ISO 12800), and the camera rate is about 3 frames per second at the maximum resolution at a series length of 69 JPEG frames and 6 RAW frames, which is enough for most amateurs. Autofocus is standard: 9 cross-shaped sensors that cover a small frame area.

For smartphone owners, there is a pleasant surprise – a special EOS Companion application, which is both a detailed guide to the camera and a small photoschool for beginners.

Now I’d like to include a video review of the camera made by “StatUpBox” YouTube user:

Final Thoughts

The camera will be a good universal acquisition for beginner amateur photographers who want to get high-quality photos and the ability to use various lenses and accessories for a price of under $500 and an ability to apply manual settings.

Pictures taken with this camera will not differ much from pictures taken on more expensive models, so if you do not care about a display with lower resolution, then you can safely take this camera for yourself.

There is no abundance of secondary functions in Canon EOS 7D Mark II, as in many modern novelties. But everything a professional photographer or a videographer needs is always at hand.

This camera is a real workhorse with a perfectly functional shooting functionality.

Its excellent autofocus, both when viewed through the viewfinder, and when using the display; a very high speed of continuous shooting and a large buffer; high ISO performance and a resolution of 20 MP matrix allow using this Canon model literally in any scene: from the “greenhouse” conditions of the studio to the dynamic reportage.

What is the first thing besides the autofocus and the capabilities of the video shooting that catches your eye?

The heart of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is the 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor developed by the company. It is built using Dual Pixel AF technology – each pixel is divided into two separate ones.

Technology makes reality phase focusing on 80% of the frame area. The range of operating sensitivity values is from 100 to 51200 ISO.

The serial shooting of the EOS 7D Mark II now reaches 10 frames/s – something that until recently only professional camera models could boast about.

Two DIGIC 6 processors allow you to make programmatic correction of distortion and vignetting directly during video shooting. The uncompressed 4: 2: 2 stream can be output and recorded via HDMI.

Other advantages that should be mentioned is the advanced ergonomics and options for additional settings, the ability to work with two different types of memory cards, the presence of an integrated and finely tuned GPS receiver, and a large battery life.

All this is more than enough to consider the “second Mark” a very competitive decision.

Below I am attaching a video-review of the camera done by Angela Nicholson:

Final Thoughts

I recommend Canon EOS 7D Mark II to those photographers who need a stable operation of the camera in any shooting conditions.

First of all, we are talking about professional reportage shooting and related genres. For example, the “second Mark” will be an excellent workhorse for a wedding photographer.

“I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about this camera, and I was delighted when Canon asked me to take part in some testing with it. It became very clear to me that here is a DSLR that is packed with some fantastic technologies to make photography more fun and exciting. It’s perfect for capturing fast subjects and I used it very successfully to photograph birds recently. Anyone who picks up this camera will have no problems getting great pictures.”

One of the most serious improvements from its predecessor is the new CMOS image sensor manufactured by Canon APS-C format of 20.2 MP.

What stands this camera out is the new structure of the matrix Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which provides smooth and accurate automatic focus adjustment for video recording in Full HD format, as well as fast autofocusing when taking photos in Live View mode.

The sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800 allows photographers to shoot under low light and use shorter exposures without compromising image quality.

Fans of video shooting will truly enjoy the stereo sound recording using the built-in microphone, as well as the ability to improve the sound quality with a plugged-in external microphone.

In manual mode, it is possible to fully control such parameters as ISO sensitivity and aperture.

This freedom of action helps the user to improve their skills.

Below, I am including a great video-review by “DSLR Video Shooter”:

Final Thoughts

Canon EOS 70D is a worthy successor of the semi-professional cameras. It combines the reliability of older models, high performance and affordable cost.

I can recommend it to both novice amateur photographers and experienced enthusiastic photographers.

The amateur photographers will like the presence of automatic shooting modes and easy control via the touch screen.

And the advanced photographers will enjoy camera’s excellent autofocus, a very high speed of operation and thoughtful control management, when any adjustment can be changed in a few moments.

Video shooting is possible in Full HD resolution with a frequency of up to 50/60 frames per second. The videographer is offered an excellent autofocus, the manual exposure control, and an input for headphones and a microphone.

Canon Camera Connect application allows you to shoot remotely. By connecting the camera to a smartphone or tablet via the built-in Wi-Fi or Dynamic NFC, you can send JPEG files to the smart device in full resolution.

Everything in the spirit of the times.

As usual, below I am including an excellent video-review of Canon EOS 80D done by Chris Niccolls, Jordan Drake and Mike Drew:

Final Thoughts

Canon which always confidently felt in the market of SLR cameras, further strengthened its position by releasing another very successful model – the Canon EOS 80D.

And even though this camera does not have any revolutionary or breakthrough technologies, its main advantage is a weighted set of characteristics and qualities.

For enthusiast videographers, this camera is simply a gift, providing a working phase autofocus in Live View mode in combination with a fully articulated touch screen and an output for an external microphone.

This megapixel monster is very similar in appearance to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, but has undergone significant changes in the filling. Its main feature is a new CMOS-sensor of giant resolution and the “R” part in the name means the absence of anti-aliasing filter on the matrix.

The camera includes an electronic horizon level, which is output directly to the center of the viewfinder on a transparent LCD screen.

Especially worth noting is the EOS iSA system, which automatically analyzes the parameters of color, brightness, motion, contrast and distance to the subject.

Based on iSA, the camera makes auto-correction of brightness, determines the position of people and optimal exposure parameters.

The range of photosensitivity is ISO 100-6400 (extends to ISO 12800), shutter speed starts from 1/8000 to 30 seconds. The camera can shoot at a speed of 5 frames per second, which is quite a lot, given the “weight” of the images.

Below is a video-review by Jared Polin:

Final Thoughts

All the above tells us that, despite the addition of tracking autofocus, the camera is not aimed for video shooting.

Instead, this camera is rather intended for portrait, studio and landscape photographers who, despite the high cost, will appreciate all the advantages of the camera.

This camera has the same size and weight as the EOS 60D. It is the lightest digital SLR camera with a full-frame CMOS sensor, which is ideal for shooting during travels, in the studio and in the open air.

In the EOS 6D, the full-frame sensor and high-quality shooting in low light are combined with a compact, reliable and lightweight design.

It is equipped with a new full-frame CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 MP. Images made with it can be printed in a poster format and framed without sacrificing quality. The ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 25600 (50-102400 expanded) allows you to effortlessly obtain clear, natural pictures in low light.

The 11-point AF system has the best performance when shooting in low light conditions.

Accuracy of focusing is maintained at an illumination level up to EV-3 (corresponding to moonlight), which makes it possible to shoot night landscapes or portraits and transfer the natural atmosphere of the scene with a minimum noise level.

Also, Canon EOS 6D was the first EOS camera with the ability to connect to Wi-Fi and GPS networks, allowing you to take photos and immediately add geotags to them, as well as transfer pictures over to the cloud storage, to a computer or smartphone.

Below I am attaching another great video-review done by Larry Becker:

Final Thoughts

This model is an excellent starting point for acquaintance with full-frame Canon cameras and an excellent choice for those who want to better control the depth of field or to maximize the use of the wide-angle EF lenses.

It must be noted that Canon released this camera with really weighed characteristics. It’s hard to come up with something more optimal in terms of price/quality for an enthusiast photographer.

Mark IV is built around a new CMOS sensor, and its powerful image processing subsystem relies on a high-performance Digic 6+ processor.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Even though the resolution of the images increased to 30 megapixels, this did not affect the quality at all.

The camera confidently captures images at ISO up to 6400, but if you want to publish an image on the Internet, it can provide good quality at much higher ISO values too. And when you make adjustments to a RAW file, there is almost no noise in it.

The EOS 5D Mark IV can shoot continuously at 7 frames per second with full autofocus and auto exposure, creating up to 21 RAW images or an unlimited number of JPEG images per shooting session.

Enhanced focus and metering functions of the EOS 5D Mark IV camera will not miss the moment and capture it even in difficult lighting conditions.

Recording functions in high definition 4K1 and Full HD with different frame rates, including slow-motion shooting 60p, expand the possibilities of video shooting on digital SLR cameras.

Below you will find a video-review done by Chris Niccolls:

Final Thoughts

The cumulative set of properties and characteristics makes the “fourth Mark” applicable for almost any genre: from reportage to advertising photography, from photo hunting to professional video shooting.

The resolution of the pictures remained the same, 24.2 effective megapixels. The camera received a new image sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, which provides more accurate and quick focus, even in poor light conditions.

On the camera EOS M3 you could use a removable electronic viewfinder, but it must be purchased separately for a considerable price.

In the EOS M5, 2.36 million points of the viewfinder form a very clear picture, suitable for manual focusing, especially since it also has an effective assistant in the form of a focus peaking.

The new powerful DIGIC 7 processor provides accurate and fast focusing, as well as a record burst speed in the line of cameras – 7 or 9 frames per second (depending on the selected AF mode).

Improvements have also affected the image correction and processing system: the camera provides accurate transmission of hues and halftones, bright saturated color is preserved even at large ISO values.

Image stabilization has also improved: in the video recording mode, a 5-axis electronic stabilization is now available, working in tandem with the system of optical stabilization of the lens.

The Canon EOS M5 will surprise you with low power consumption.

When shooting in the cold with the use of various lenses, including lenses with optical image stabilizers, with the Eco-mode switched off on one battery charge, it is possible to make slightly more than 700 frames.

Below I am attaching a great video-review by YouTube vlogger iJasmine:

Final Thoughts

This particular camera will be an excellent choice for advanced photographers and travelers who appreciate the combination of compact size and high quality images – like a SLR camera.

And according to YouTube vlogger iJasmine, Canon M5 is also a great camera for vlogging.

This is an excellent option as a second camera for a professional photographer, as there is an evolving fleet of its own optics, offering excellent solutions, and the possibility of installing lenses for Canon SLR cameras.

All this is combined with speed and convenience of work.

In a nutshell, a set of advanced features and functions, packed in a compact and lightweight case, makes the Canon EOS M5 a universal camera, suitable for shooting a wide variety of scenes.

About Author

Zarina

Founder of Digital World Beauty website.
My purpose here is to provide easy-to-understand guides and reviews on digital technology to make YOUR life easier and help YOU make as informed of a decision as possible.

3 Comments

Angie

Wonderful information for anybody looking to purchase a digital camera for themselves or someone else. Great timing with the holidays approaching, too.

I am a beginner in the world of photography, and if you don’t mind me asking, do you think Canon cameras are better than Nikon cameras? There is such battle between Canon vs. Nikon.

I personally made a choice in my time in favor of Canon, but it does not mean anything. The quality of the images is first and foremost. Most users don’t even need a DSLR – they will be happy enough with regular point-and-shoot cameras.